Fire-hit university hall repairs green lit

A blaze destroyed the Henderson Old Hall's roof in 2023

University bosses have been given the green light to repair a fire-ravaged former halls of residence, two-and-a-half years after a blaze ripped through the historic building.

The roof of Henderson Old Hall, in High Heaton, Newcastle, was completely destroyed in June 2023, in a fire that left the Grade II-listed site in ruins.

A first phase of restoration works to begin returning the disused Newcastle University halls to its former state has been approved.

Newcastle City Council granted permission this week for repairs, including the reinstatement of its roof, replacing windows and dealing with severe water damage suffered during the firefighting efforts.

Work is expected to start early in 2026 and last for up to 14 months.

Longer-term options to bring it back into use are still being weighed up, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A council report outlined how water ingress to the 1930s building's great hall, which was worsened by months of exposure to the elements after the fire until scaffolding and coverings were erected, had left its interior in a "very poor and highly dangerous" condition.

A Newcastle University spokesperson said: "We are making the first steps into bringing this Grade-II listed building back into use by making it permanently weather and watertight.

The former halls of residence had been left exposed to the elements

A university spokesperson added: "We are still considering options on how Henderson Hall might be best brought back into use, reflecting our obligation to protect the heritage site."

It was in use as accommodation until the late 2010s.

Disused at the time of the fire, two teenage boys admitted arson and were given six-month and four-month detention and training orders respectively at the youth court in North Tyneside in February 2024, after admitting to torching the building.

Save Britain's Heritage named the Red Hall Drive site as among the country's most endangered heritage assets this year.

Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.